An upper level trough swinging into the Northern Plains, combined with a strong low pressure system ejecting out of the Rockies and into the Central Plains, resulted in heavy snow and blizzard conditions across much of west and central North Dakota. This episode occurred from March 22nd into the 23rd.
Warmer air surging north ahead of this storm system resulted in a wintry mix of rain, freezing rain, and sleet across much of the west and south central portions of the state at first, while all snow fell over the north central. Colder air pushing south eventually transitioned the precipitation to all snow. While there were some ice accumulations across the south, ice impacts were minor.
Heavy snow fell from west central North Dakota, through much of the south central and James River Basin region. Storm total snowfall amounts within this band ranged from eight inches to one foot, with locally higher amounts including 18.2 inches near Beulah. In addition to the snow, wind gusts up to 45 mph developed across far northwest and all of north central North Dakota resulting in several hours of blizzard conditions.
Numerous travel advisories and several road closures resulted from this storm, including the closure of Interstate 94 from Bismarck to Fargo, Highway 83 from Bismarck to the Canadian border, and Highway 2 from Berthold to Rugby.
This was a prolonged and very complicated storm to warn for as potential was high for various types of warning criteria to be met.

Event Narrative

East winds of 35 to 45 mph combined with falling snow and existing snow on the ground to create several hours of blizzard conditions.